Question about A1C test

Tammy777 · #1 (**permalink**) 11-24-2008, 08:19 PM

thank you for taking the time to read my post. I am not diagnosed with diabeties. I just got my a1c back and it was 6.1. Is this ok for non diabetic?. My question is I have numbers ranging from 50-to over 200 . I told my Dr this and thats why she did the a1c. They told me it was normal. Should I ask for more testing or is all of this fine? Thanks for your responses, Tammy

Psycho Penguin · #2 (**permalink**) 11-24-2008, 08:57 PM

That A1C is normal... then I see your sugar levels going crazy and

1) It reinforces my belief A1C is a very small measure of success and not the absolute truth.

2) There's no way you're not diabetic.

jps · #3 (**permalink**) 11-24-2008, 10:38 PM

Yeah, if I were you I'd definitely track it. The A1C is fine but anything over 200 (was this a random, a fast, 1 hr pp?) is too high. Something is going on.

mortis505 · #4 (**permalink**) 11-25-2008, 01:51 AM

A1c 6.1 %

Average Blood Glucose in mg/dl 129 mg/dl

Average Blood Glucose in mmol/L 7.1 mmol/L

That is not fine. please seek out an endocrinologist and not a family dr that only knows about diabetes from 20-30 year old info from the ADA.

davef · #5 (**permalink**) 11-25-2008, 02:33 AM

Tammy,

Welcome to the forums. Your A1c would appear to be on the high side of "normal", what would really prompt me to suggest further investigation is your blood sugar readings of 50 - 200. I would suggest that at the very least you need to do some further testing of your blood sugars. If you don't have a glucometer, then I'd suggest it would be worth getting one and test for at least a week, making a note of what you eat and the numbers you get.

The following testing would help your doctor (or Endo) get a better understanding of what is going on:

1. Test each morning before eating. This is your Fasting Blood Glucose (FBG).
2. Test before each meal
3. Test two hours after the first bite of each meal
4. Test before bed

Many of us aim to have the following numbers:

FBG: below 110
2 hours after first bite: below 140

Let us know how you get on,

xMenace · #6 (**permalink**) 11-25-2008, 06:05 AM

I'm not happy with my 6.1% and neither should you be with yours.

Normal is considered 4.5% to 5.9%

jillybean · #7 (**permalink**) 11-25-2008, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xMenace

I'm not happy with my 6.1% and neither should you be with yours.

Normal is considered 4.5% to 5.9%

Agreed. I was surprised how many people said 6.1 is just high-normal. My understanding is that a normal, healthy, non-diabetic shouldn't have an a1c above 5.9. A difference of .2 may seem insignificant, but it's leading somewhere.

fgummett · #8 (**permalink**) 11-25-2008, 06:41 AM

Also random BGs of 200mg/dl - no matter what has been eaten - are higher than I would consider normal.

Welcome to DF Tammy... I do hope we haven't scared you

Diabetes is not the end of the World... especially if you realise you have it (or are heading that way) sooner rather than later and start to do something about it.

Visit DF often, ask questions and, most especially, keep testing you BGs - arm yourself with knowledge!

EsMom · #9 (**permalink**) 11-25-2008, 07:30 AM

Hi Tammy -

Your story is almost identical to mine! My a1c though was about 5.6 about 2 months ago, but my sugars have ranged anywhere from 70 to 255. Most often after eating carbs they're in the 180 range. I had an OGTT which showed pre-diabetes. I've had trouble getting doctors to pay attention to me. You have to be aggressive with this. I'm getting a 3rd opinion soon. Keep me posted on your progress - sounds like a very similar situation so I'd like to know how you're doing!

Tammy777 · #10 (**permalink**) 11-25-2008, 07:56 AM

thanks for all your responses. I was only checking my BG when I thought it was way low, because i felt so bad, had not thought about it being high. It has been pretty normal when i get up in the morning 95-117, then coffee takes it up over 200, have had reading of 237 actually. Then if I put off eating I drop like a rock between 1-3. Then when I eat the check after 1-2 hours puts me at or over 200. This is what I have been seeing for the last month that I have been checking. I thought that having so many hypos that it might alter my average on the a1c.I probably go below 60 on a daily bases, I need to eat better. My fasting triglycerides are 1101, cholestoral 273. My blood pressure isnt bad but my pulse is too fast and I have to check that daily now. well, she said my blood pressure was not great, but not bad, Ithought itwas good 122/83, does all of this play a role in it? Thank you so much for your help, I really appreciate it. Tammy

Eddy · #11 (**permalink**) 11-25-2008, 09:02 AM

Triglycerides of 1100?! Was that a typo?

Scrabblechick · #12 (**permalink**) 11-25-2008, 09:05 AM

Hi Tammy, your trigylcerides are seriously out of whack, unless the 1101 was a typo. Normal is below 150. No, the BP isn't too bad. My pulse runs a little high most of the time, too. You might also ask for a C-peptide test, if they didn't do it with your last bloodwork.

Yeah, your lows (hypos) probably evened out your A1C.

Try eating more protein and green vegetables and omitting white bread, pasta, rice and junk food. This may help your blood glucose (BG) stabilize -- certainly, it won't hurt you.

Be careful if you exercise. Don't do much if you're reading over 200, and carry something like a glucose tablet with you if you're normal, just in case the exercise sends you low.

Keep after your doctor to help you out, or see an endocrinologist. And let us know how you're getting along.

Tammy777 · #13 (**permalink**) 11-25-2008, 09:09 AM

No, not a typo, they are 1101. On 4 pills a day now for it, yes, I got reamed for it, but whats a gal to do if it's partially genetic, lol. I know it's not a joke, I'm trying to figure all this out, help! Thanks, Tammy

Tammy777 · #14 (**permalink**) 11-25-2008, 09:48 AM

thanks scrabble, Is brown rice ok? I love brown rice and chicken. I am out of test strips, have been. is there a monitor that doesnt use them, if there isnt that was probably a dumb question. are all monitors the same and the price of strips? Does your Dr. give you a precription for them? Are they cheaper that way? Sorry for so many probably dumb questions. Thanks, Tammy

princesslinda · #15 (**permalink**) 11-25-2008, 09:59 AM

Brown rice works for me in small quantities...but the only way you'll know if it works for you is by testing your blood sugar 2 hrs after your first bite....goal blood sugar then should be 140 or less.

That's why testing is so important...if you don't test, you have no way of knowing how different foods affect your blood sugar.

Many diabetics have high triglycerides at diagnosis.

You can buy a "generic" meter and strips at Walmart or your pharmacy. If you have insurance and your doctor writes an Rx for the strips, you'll just have a co-pay. Most doctors have meters in their office to give to you if you will ask. We also have a "freebie" thread on the forum with links to send away for a free meter...or visit the "One-Touch" web-site and order a free one.